Identifying means for tools



Sep 11, 1962 R. K. sEDGwlcK ETAL 3,052,999

IDENTIFYING MEANS FOR TooLs Filed March 30, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 o INVENTOR:` aber Sedgwick BY Cans Saek www Sept 1l, 1962 R. K. sEDGwlcK ETAL 3,052,999

. IDENTIFYING MEANS FOR rrooLs Filed March 30, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS fok?! X( Sedgwick Corporation, West Aiiis, Wis., a corporation of WiS- cousin Fired Mar. se, 1959, ser. No. 302324 7 oiaims. (ci. t0- 2.2)

'I'he present invention relates to a new and improved identifying means for tools by which the selection of one particular tool from a plurality of tools of varying types and sizes is facilitated.

The present application comprises a continuation in part of the Brainard et al. application Serial No. 744,976, filed June 27, 1958, for Machine Tool With Mechanical Cutting Tool Changer.

The machine tool disclosed in the above mentioned application incorporates, among other things, the automatic selection of one particular tool from a plurality of different types and sizes of tools which are removably supported in a storage magazine and the automatic transfer of the selected tool to the spindle of the machine While simultaneously removing the previously used tool from the spindle and depositing it in die storage magazine in the position from which the currently selected tool was removed.

The present application is directed solely to the identifying means on the tool holder by which the selection of a particular tool from the plurality of different types and sizes of material removing tools is facilitated.

The primary object of the present invention resides in the provision of a new and improved identifying means on the tool holder for facilitating the selection of a particular tool from a plurality of different types and sizes of material removing tools.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of coded information on each tool holder by which the .selection of one particular tool from a plurality of different types and sizes of material removing tools is facilitated.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of an improved identifying means in the form of the contour of the tool holder to facilitate the selection of a particular tool from a plurality of different types and sizes of material removing tools.

Another object is to provide a new and improved means in the form of binary coding on each of the tool holders by which the selection of one particular tool from a plurality of different types and sizes of material removing tools is facilitated.

Another object is to provide a new and improved means in the form of a plurality of axially spaced differently positioned grooves on each of the tool holders for facilitating the selection of a particular tool from the plurality of tools of diferent types and sizes.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of differently positioned lands and grooves on each tool holder for facilitating the selection of one particular tool from a plurality of different tools.

A more specific object is to provide a series of abutting axially aligned rings of different diameters on the shank of each tool holder to thereby provide alternate lands and grooves, the positions of which are different on each tool holder and are coded in a manner to separately identify each of the tools to facilitate the selection of a particular tool from a plurality of different tools.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of illustrative embodiments thereof.

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In the drawings:

FIGURE l is a longitudinal aXial sectional v1ew through a tool holder embodying the teachings of the present invention for identifying any particular tool;

FIG. 2 illustrates a modified form of the invention s-hown in FIG. l for identifying the identical tool shown in FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional View similar to FIG. 1 showing a means for identifying a different tool;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 2 showing a modified form of means for identifying the identical tool shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an elevational View of one of the ring elements shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an elevational View of one of the spacer rings shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a rotatably mounted magazine adapted to carry a plurality of different sizes `and types of material removing tools together with selector means engageable successively with the several tool holders `to eect the automatic selection of any particular tool from the plurality of tools at a tool selector and change station of the machine;

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the selector means shown in FIG. 7 with the selector means engaging the coding means on the tool holder and operable to effect the automatic selection of a particular tool from the plurality of different types and sizes of tools;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational View of the selector means shown in FIG. 7 with parts broken away to reveal the operating mechanism and a portion of the selector control means; and,

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of a cutting tool containing a modified coding means.

The present invention, when applied to tool holders, is adapted for use in effecting either visual or manual selection of a particular tool from a plurality of different types and sizes of material removing tools. It is also particularly well adapted for use in conjunction with automatic means for effecting the selection of a particular type and size of tool from the plurality of many types and sizes of tools.

In accordance with the present production methods, it is common practice to effect a number of changes of different types of tools in a single machine to cut the cost of manufacture and expedite production. The present invention lends itself to the rapid manual or automatic selection of the desired tool or tools to reduce to a minimum the required time in effecting tool changes.

While the present invention contemplates the use of any desired identifying means `on the several individual tool holders to designate both size and type of tool which each holder contains, it is to be understood that the forms of the present invention shown in the `accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only.

The different identifying means for each of the various types and sizes of tools contained in the individual holders may be that of contour, coded information such as eX- ternal formations, suitable lands or grooves or combinations thereof in accordance with the selected means of identifying the various sizes and ytypes of tools.

Referring more particularly to FIGURE 1 of the accompanying drawing, a tool holder 10 preferably of cylindrical form includes an axial bore 11 provided with threading 12 adapted to receive a positioning plug 13 against which ythe inner end of a tool 14 is positioned. The inner en-d of the axial bore 11 is contiguous with a bore 15 which extends forwardly and outwardly to form a conical opening adapted to receive the segments of an axially split sleeve 16 which has 'the identical taper as that of bore 15. The outwardly flaring bore 15 terminates in a cylindrical cavity 17 provided with internal threading 1S adapted -to receive the threaded portion of a tool clamping ring 19. The parts of the split sleeve 16 are provided with a circumferentially extending groove 20 adapted to be positioned in the clamping ring 19 by means of a snap ring 21. The forward end of each of the parts of the split sleeve 16 are of tapered form adapted to be contacted by the inner surface of a tapered plug 22 seated in a socket 23 formed in the tool clamping ring 19. An `axially disposed bore 24 in the ring 19 serves as an opening through which the shank of the tool may be inserted. After the tool has been inserted in the holder 10, the clamping ring 19 is tightened in the tool holder 10 to retain the tool 14 in fixed operating position therein.

The rearward portion of the tool holder 10 is of cylindrical form -that is receivable in the spindle of the machine. The holder 10 includes an enlarged cylindrical forward portion 25 terminating at its forward end in eX- ternal threading 26. A flange 27 having a machined front face 28 is disposed at the inner end of a machined cylindrical surface 29. A plurality of rings 30 and 31 are adapted for slidable receipt on the machined cylindrical portion 29 of the tool holder 10 to provide the identifying means for a particular tool 14, which in the present instance 4is a particular size of drill. The rings 30 have a greater outer diameter Ithan the rings 31 in a manner to constitute code elements of different size, and so that the alternate application of the coded rings 30 and 31 to the tool holder 10 cooperate to provide either one or a series of lands and grooves which represent a part of the coded information as to the particular identity of the individual tool in that particular holder. The series of rings 30 land 31 are retained in abutting face to face relationsip on the surface 29 of the holder 10 by the application of an internally threaded clamping ring 32 on the threading 26.

In the present instance, it will be noted that live uniformly spaced grooves 30' have been formed by the alternate `application of the plurality of rings 3l) and 31 to the body of the tool holder 10. This particular disclosure corresponds to that illustrated in the previously mentioned Brainard et al. application wherein thirty-one different 'tools are coded in accordance with a binary system to indicate the number of the tool. As is well known in the art, only two numerals and l are used in the binary numbering system, and since thirtyone num-bers are used in the illustrative embodiment, five digits of the binary system must be provided. Thus the number 00001 will identify tool No. l, While the binary number 11111 will identify tool No. 31. In each case, it will be apparent that the coded identifying number, such as 00001 or 11111 comprises a summation or cumulative value yof Ithe individual values of the binary digits comprising the coded number. The peripheral surfaces of the rings 30 and 31 serve Arespectively as coded radially extending projections to respectively designate the digits"1 and 0 of the binary system for coding each of the separate tool holders that contain different sizes and types of tools. In the present instance, the various possible arrangements of the several rings 30 and 31 on the portion 29 of each tool holder 10 serve to provide thirty-one different codedcombinations by which thirtyone different sizes and types of tools may be identified.

In the above mentioned pending application the coding formed by the rings 30 and grooves 30 formed by the rings 31 positioned between adjacent rings 30 are read by a selector or tool indicator 33 illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8 and'9 that includes five movable fingers 34 which are yieldably urged forwardly into engagement with either the rings 30 Aor 31 as the several tools are moved past the fixedly positioned selector 33 under the rotating movement of -a tool storage magazine 35. Each of the fingers 34 is carried by separate rods 36 each surrounded by a spring 37 that serves to urge the ngers 34 toward the rings 30 and 31 on the several tool holders 10. The

rings 30 therefore serve as actuators by engaging the fingers 34 and actuating them toward the housing o-f the selector 33 to thereby effect axial movement of their associated rods 36 accordingly. The inner end of each rod 3d is connected to a movable con-tact bar 38 of a switch 39 which is a double throw switch provided with two stationary contacts 40 and 41 that form part of an electrical system which dictates the number of the particular tool desired for the next successive machining operation. As each of the tool holders 10, removably supported in the magazine 3S, pass the xedly positioned selector station, the fingers 34 of the selector 33 engage the several rings 30 and 31 of successive tool holders until the coded number of a particular tool corresponds with the number impressed upon the electrical control system. When the coding indicated by the selector 33 corresponds to the number impressed upon the control system the movement of the tool Storage magazine 35 is automatically stopped with the particular tool in position to be withdrawn from the tool storage magazine and transferred to the spindle of the machine.

Referring more particularly to FIG. S, it will be noted that the four rear fingers 34 of the selector 33 are in contact with four rings 30 while the front nnger 34 is in contact with a ring 31. The binary number for the particular tool holder in contact with the selector 33 is 11110" and, if this is the same code number impressed upon the selector 33 by the electrical control system, the movement of the tool storage magazine will stop under combined action of the fingers 34 and the positions of the respective corresponding coded actuation of the switches 39 which they control. When the fingers 34 are in contact with the rings 30, the digit l of the binary coding is indicated and when the fingers 34 are in contact with the rings 31, the digit 0 is indicated. Likewise, when the fingers 34 are in contact with the rings 30, the movable contact 3S of the `associated switch 39 is in contact with the stationary contact 40 of the particular switch 39 as illustrated in FIG. 9. When the ngers 34 are in contact with the rings 31, the movable contact 38 of the associated switch 39 establishes an electrical connection with the stationary contact 41 of the particular switch.

From the foregoing description, it will be understood that the -tool storage magazine 35 will continue to rotate to successively bring the several tool holders 10 to the stationary selector 33. As each tool holder reaches the selector, the several fingers 34 engage either one of the rings 30 or 31 of the several tool holders and this operation continues until such time as the coded information contained on the tool holder containing the desired tool matches the coded information impressed upon the selector by the electrical control system. When the desired tool has thus been selected, the control circuit becomes effective to shut olir the driving power -to the tool storage magazine 35 and the selected tool is in position to 4be transferred to the spindle of the machine tool.

Referring mo-re particularly to FIG. 2 of the drawings, there is shown a modified form of the tool holder coding means illustrated in FIG. 1. It will be noted that the identical tool in the form of a drill 14, as shown in FIG. l, is mounted in a tool holder 10. The tool holder 10 Ibears the identical coded information on its periphery as presented by the removable rings 30 and grooves 30 on the periphery of tool holder 10 in FIG. l. However, it will be noted that axially spaced rings 44 are integrally formed on the periphery of the forward portion of the tool holder 10'. Such lands or rings 44 are produced by forming grooves 42 on the periphery of the forward portion of tool holder 10i'. By being integrally formed on the tool holder 10', the lands or rings 44 are permanently fixed thereon, and by varying the position and relationship of the rings 44 and grooves 42, the desired code can be placed on the tool holder 10. In this modication, the rings 44 and grooves 42 serve the same purpose as the removable rings 30 and grooves 30 of tool holder in FIG. 1.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 3, it will be noted that a milling cutter 43 of a Vparticular size and type is mounted in a tool holder 10 which is constructed in the identical manner shown in FIG. l. However, since this tool is of a different size and type than that shown in FIG. 1, the identifying means, in the form of coded information, comprises rings 30 and 31 which are arranged in such a manner that the binary code number of this particular tool is represented by the number 10101 while the tool shown in FIG. 1 is represented by the binary code number 11111.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 4, it will be noted that the identical milling cutter 43, as shown in FIG. 3, is mounted ina -tool holder 10 which is of the same type as that shown in FIG. 2. However, in this modification of the coding means, it will be noted that axially spaced rings 44 are integrally formed on the periphery of the forward portion of the tool holder 10 and serve the same purpose as the removable rings 30 of tool holder 10 shown in FIG. 3. The lands or rings 44' are produced by forming grooves 42 on the periphery of the forward portion of tool holder 10 and are permanently fixed since they are integrally formed thereon. The rings 44' and grooves 42 of FIG. 4 designate the binary code number 10101 which is the identical binary number represented by the removable rings 30 and 31 in FIG. 3. By varying the position and relationship of the rings 44' and grooves 42 on tool holder 10', any binary code number may be produced that is capable of being produced by the removable rings 30 and 31 of tool holder 10 in FIG. 3.

While the ring 30 shown in FIG. 5 illustrates the ring shown in FIG. 1, it is to be understood that the outside diameter of the ring and the width of its peripheral face may be varied in accordance with the demands of any form of coding adopted for the purpose of establishing different identifying means for each tool holder containing one of the plurality of tools of different types and sizes.

In like manner, the ring 31 shown in FIG. 6 may be of any suitable diameter and its peripheral width may also be varied to suit the particular demand of the selected coding means for identifying the various types and sizes of tools from which a particular tool is to be selected.

FIG. 10 of the drawings, depicts a modified embodiment of the tool coding means illustrated in FIG. 1. It will be noted that the coding means comprises recesses 47 integrally formed in the shank of a tool 50 at designated locations, rather than placing the coding means on the tool holder as illustrated in the prior embodiments. It should be noted further that the absence of a recess or recesses 47 in the shank of the tool is also a part of the coding means. Therefore, the presence or absence of recesses 47 in the shank of the tool S0 at the designated locations determines its code number. The tool 50 may be stored in a storage medium in a manner that it can be carried past a tool selector that will read the code on the tool 50. To read the code on the tool 50 the several plungers 51 of a tool selector (not shown) similar to selector 33 of FIG. 8 are brought into contact with the cooperating areas on the tool 50 that are designated to contain the coding means by the absence or presence of a recess 47. When the plungers 51 are in contact with the recesses 47, the digit 0 of the binary coding is indicated and when the fingers 34 are in contact with the periphery of the shank of the tool 50, because no recess is formed in the designated location, the digit l is indicated. In FIG. l0, the binary code number 00100 is designated by the recesses 47 and the shank of the tool 50. By varying the position and relationship of the recesses 47, any binary code number may be produced on the tool 50 that is capable of being produced on the tool holder shown in the other embodiments.

of the tool 50, the tool may be conveniently positioned in the storage medium by means of the flats 52 to properly locate the coding means with respect to the plungers 51.

While the present invention has been described in detail as applied in conjunction with the use of the binary coding as disclosed in the Brainard et al. application, it is to be understood that such use merely affords an excellent example of its adaptability in the automatic selection of one particular tool of proper size and type from a plurality of different sizes and types of tools.

To the best of applicants knowledge, the present invention affords a new and novel means for applying individual identifying means to separate tool holders each of which contain a tool of different size or type.

From the foregoing detailed description of the present invention, it will readily be understood that a simple and effective means has been provided by which the selection of a particular type and size of tool may be quickly and easily accomplished from a plurality of many different types and sizes of tools.

Another advantage of the present invention resides in the fact that the application of coded information to the individual tool holders will greatly facilitate the selection of the particular required tool from a wide assortment of tools of various types and sizes.

While the invention has been described in considerable detail in the foregoing specification, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in its embodiments without departing from or sacrificing any of the advantages hereinafter claimed.

The principles of this invention having now been fully explained in connection with the foregoing description, we hereby claim as our invention:

1. A tool holder comprising a body portion in which a tool is retained, a surface on said body portion, a plurality of rings adjustable axially of said body along said surface, and clamping means yon said body portion for retaining said rings in coded relationship, some of said rings having different outside diameters than the outside diameters of other of said rings whereby the selected arrangement of said rings serves to provide lands and grooves by which the size and type of the contained tool is identified.

2. A tool holder comprising a body within which a tool is insertable and which is provided with an annular outer surface, several annular formations of different eX- ternal diameter interchangeably disposed on said body surface, and means for retaining said formations in coded relationship, whereby a selected arrangement of the formations provides spaced annular lands and grooves by which the size and type of the applied tool is identified.

3. Tool means comprising a body provided with several external formations of diiferent shape adjustable along the body, and means for positioning said formations in various selected arrangements relative to said body for identifying the tool.

4. A tool holder comprising a body formed for receiving different types of tools and which is provided with several external rings, some of said rings having different outside diameters than the outside diameters of other of said rings, and means for positioning said rings in various selected arrangements, each of said rings constituting one digit of a binary code structure for automatically identifying the type of tool to be carried in said tool holder.

5. In combination with a tool holder having code element receiving means, a plurality of first code elements of uniform size and each respectively having one coded value, a plurality of second code elements of a uniform size different than the size of said rst elements with each of said second elements respectively having a different coded value, said code elements being adjustably positionable on said receiving means, and means for securing a predetermined number of said iirst and second elements to said receiving means in selected relationship for cooperating therewith to provide a distinct conguration representing a specific coded identification equivalent to the cumulative value of said elements for identifying a tool carried therein.

6. In a tool retaining holder provided with a code retaining guideway delimited at one end by laterally eX- tending positioning means, code clamp means removably secured to said holder in spaced relationship to said guideway and said lateral positioning means, and coded identifying means removably carried by said guideway and being maintained in abutting engagement with said lateral positioning means by said clamp means, said code identifying means being so disposed between said positioning means and said clamp means as to present a structural configuration comprising laterally extending elements of different size, certain of said elements being of one size to provide one coded value and certain other of said elements being of a diterent size to provide another coded 8 value, whereby said identifying means provides a coded value represented by the summation of the values of said elements.

7. In a tool holder provided with code receiving means, a plurality of coded elements including small elements respectively having one coded value and large elements respectively having a different coded value, said elements being removably and interchangeably affixed to said code receiving means for providing a coded structural configuration comprising an identifying coded value representing the summation of the values of said elements.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,984,839 Murray Dec. 18, 1934 2,761,229 Friedly Sept. 4, 1956 2,876,888 Aulite Mar. 10, 1959 2,896,769 Freeman July 28, 1959 

